I am at the Worlds Fair Marina and I am thinking of taking my 23 ft. ODay through Hells Gate, either Feb. 17 or 18, 2012. Much of the postings discuss going towards Throggs Neck or the Battery. Is it possible to go into HG, check out the skyline, and return without going towards Roosevelt Island? Just make a U-turn there. Safely. If so, what tidal report should I use? Thanks.
Another Hells Gate question...
- Thread starter Herco Dunlop
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The issue is you have a short period of slack current when you can go both ways SO if you want to go downtown i would plan it go south with the slack and return on a north flow as if you get the time wrong your NOT getting home 
I think the real problem with this idea is that around Hell Gate the current can run up to 5 knots, in either direction. 5 knots is the peak flow rate which occurs around mid to late mid tide. The current slows down as it approaches slack tide and begins flowing the opposite direction.
I think you would have trouble trying to go against the peak current but you could time it so that you don't hit Hell Gate at peak but during the small period of slack, before the current heads back to the NE on the flood tide. That means you'd head down (SW) to Hell Gate at the tail end of the ebb tide and the current would soon change and push you back up towards Laguardia and WF Marina.
Get the "Eldridge Tide & Pilot Book" for 2012 as it has all the information you need to safely time a trip to Hell Gate without ending up at the Battery. From WF Marina you are probably within a half hour motor or sail from Hell Gate so you'd need to leave your marina a half hour before the current change at Hell Gate.
If you do not time the current change correctly you'll likely get sucked down the channel on the west side of Roosevelt Island. The current really rips fast there as the channel is pinched into a narrow flow. South of Roosevelt Island the 'river' widens out and the current becomes much more gentle. This would be one place to think about using to wait for the current change to occur.
Get the Eldridge.
I think you would have trouble trying to go against the peak current but you could time it so that you don't hit Hell Gate at peak but during the small period of slack, before the current heads back to the NE on the flood tide. That means you'd head down (SW) to Hell Gate at the tail end of the ebb tide and the current would soon change and push you back up towards Laguardia and WF Marina.
Get the "Eldridge Tide & Pilot Book" for 2012 as it has all the information you need to safely time a trip to Hell Gate without ending up at the Battery. From WF Marina you are probably within a half hour motor or sail from Hell Gate so you'd need to leave your marina a half hour before the current change at Hell Gate.
If you do not time the current change correctly you'll likely get sucked down the channel on the west side of Roosevelt Island. The current really rips fast there as the channel is pinched into a narrow flow. South of Roosevelt Island the 'river' widens out and the current becomes much more gentle. This would be one place to think about using to wait for the current change to occur.
Get the Eldridge.
There are other Hell's Gates you know. My boat is on Possum Kingdom lake in Texas. www.flickr.com/photos/7205704@N03/3169455240/
http://hudson.dl.stevens-tech.edu/maritimeforecast/maincontrol.shtml
Stevens shows you what happens for REAL
Stevens shows you what happens for REAL
although its been pretty decent weather but going through Hell Gate into the East river in a small boat in Feb without knowledge of the tide and currents is asking for trouble.....if you do decide to go for it make sure you let some people know where your going and have all the necessary safety equipment on you and the boat
Get the Eldridge tide and current book!
Get the Eldridge tide and current book!
It's been a few years, (like almost 20), since I last went through HG. I do remember contacting USCG on my radio and asking their advice. They gave me the best time of that day to go, along with a wealth of information about the trip. They even calculated when I should leave my slip in Sheepshead Bay based on my vessel, wind, current, etc. Good Luck. i do remember it was an experience.
That part of the river can be pretty busy with commercial traffic as well, so plan on taking some big swells in a small confined area. To be honest, being in NYC harbor, I hate the trip up the East River to LI sound. If you want to check out the skyline, get on a train into NYC and catch one of the ferries that run from Pier 11 to Brooklyn, easier and a lot safer, though it might cost you a few bucks.
http://www.nywaterway.com/
http://www.nywatertaxi.com/
http://www.nywaterway.com/
http://www.nywatertaxi.com/
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